Shock at impending Singapore racing closure
Australian jockeys and trainers were shocked to learn that racing in Singapore is to cease next year.
The Singapore Turf Club told participants on Monday that the last meeting in Singapore would be on October 5, 2024, after 180 years of racing.
Melbourne Cup winning jockey Corey Brown had a successful three-and-a-half-year stint in Singapore before returning home in 2017.
“I was blown away when I read the article on Monday,” Brown said.
“For me it’s disappointing and I can’t believe it has got to this.
“I knew it had gone downhill a little since I left, but I was always under the impression they would be able to pick it up and get it back to what it was.
“I was really disappointed when I heard the news.”
Mark Zahra, who rode in Singapore in the early days of Kranji from 2004 to 2006 and has made several short trips in recent years said it was sad that a racing centre like Singapore could close.
“I won my first Group 1 up there,” the Melbourne Cup winning rider said.
“It’s very sad that something like this can happen
“It will affect a lot of the bloodstock industry, the trainers, and some of the jockeys that are up there.
“Hopefully someone can pull a rabbit out of the hat and save it.”
Zahra rides in Brisbane on Saturday before flying to Singapore that night to ride Golden Monkey for expatriate trainer Tim Fitzsimmons in the Group 3 Silver Bowl (1400m).
Trainer Cliff Brown, who spent more than 12 years plying his trade in Singapore before returning to Melbourne in 2021, said unfortunately racing had been left to wither.
He said consultants’ advice to the Turf Club of impending dangers when two new casinos were introduced in 2010 was not heeded.
“It should still be a great racing place,” Brown said.
“They had consultants come in when the casinos were introduced, but they did nothing because their turnover was still good.
“They let it go, and the next thing you know turnover started to tail off.
“So, it’s not a new problem. It’s a 10-year problem that needed to be addressed 10 years ago and then it possibly would have turned around.”
Brown still holds an interest in Singapore racing with a horse in work with his former assistant Tim Fitzsimmons, while a number of his owners of horses in Melbourne still have horses in Singapore.
More Racing News
Blake Shinn's comeback continues with Flemington jump-outs appearance
Jockey Blake Shinn is set to reach a significant milestone in his recovery journey as he prepares to ride at the Flemington jump-outs on Friday.The Lindsay Park team, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, has booked Shinn to ride War Machine on Friday, and he also has four other...
Cold Brew defying his quirks to rack up wins
Trainer Will Freedman conceded that Cold Brew frequently errs during his races but manages to secure victories despite his tendencies."I don't know if the penny will ever drop with him, it certainly hasn't dropped yet,'' Freedman said. "But he obviously has good ability and he should be hard to beat...
Miraval Rose's early spring campaign begins at Caulfield
The Grahame Begg stable is set to commence an early spring campaign by utilising a late-season weight-for-age contest.Miraval Rose is scheduled to compete in the 1100-metre Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, marking her return to the track since her fourth-place finish in the Group 2...
Lockwood's filly Extreme Taste faces draw challenge
Trainer Barry Lockwood initially commented that there wasn't much to say about his filly Extreme Taste "because she hasn't won yet," but upon further discussion, he is considerably more positive about her chances of success at Ipswich on Wednesday.Extreme Taste, a maiden after three starts, is set to compete in...
Sir Les refining his racecraft under Carmody's guidance
Craig Carmody is diligently working with promising three-year-old Sir Les, aiming to harness the gelding's natural talent, a skill he witnessed with the horse's dam, Everage, who also achieved stakes success.Sir Les, by All Too Hard, displayed impressive form winning his first two outings before a narrow fifth-place finish in...
Tennessee Bound to bypass Caulfield for Sandown assignment
While Tennessee Bound would likely be a leading contender for favouritism in the Caulfield race she is entered for, trainer Ciaron Maher is intent on continuing his measured approach with the undefeated mare.Consequently, the four-year-old is expected to make her next start in Wednesday's 1200-metre Evergreen Turf Handicap at Sandown.The...
Bellatrix Star's comeback looms in the Sir John Monash Stakes
Mark Walker is proceeding with caution regarding the return of the classy mare Bellatrix Star, based on his experiences with her over the past two seasons.This Saturday, the mare is expected to make her reappearance in the $200,000 Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield.The 1100-metre weight-for-age race will...
Hard Kick's preparation for major spring sprint begins
The traditional winter period typically isn't a springboard for success in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, but the Lindsay Park training team is pinning its hopes on Hard Kick.The unexposed gelding is poised to commence a campaign that has its sights set on the lucrative $2 million Group 1 sprint for...
Music Time set for Kosciuszko path in spring
Trainer Gratz Vella has confirmed that Music Time will be pointed towards The Kosciuszko during the Sydney spring carnival, foregoing the Group 1 Golden Rose for three-year-olds.Vella highlighted the irresistible appeal of The Kosciuszko for country trainers and indicated that the Golden Slipper placegetter might be better suited to the...
Tim Clark sees great potential in By Choice's return
Despite Tulloch Lodge's usual high benchmarks, their two-year-old season has been somewhat subdued. Nevertheless, their primary stable jockey, Tim Clark, anticipates that the current crop of youngsters will more than make up for lost ground as they transition to three-year-old racing.Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have seen 14 juvenile winners...